Malka Leifer accuser speaks out as former principal fights to be released from prison
Former Melbourne principal Malka Leifer remains behind bars on bail while victims’ rights groups remain “cautiously optimistic” it will stay that way.
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Victims rights groups remain “cautiously optimistic” that accused paedophile school principal Malka Leifer will remain behind bars.
An alleged victim of the former Melbourne school principal broke her silence today and said she would be “absolutely devastated” if a judge released her on bail.
Australia is seeking to have the former principal of the ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, Melbourne, returned to face 74 charges of sexually abusing her former students.
Leifer is resisting the extradition bid, and has successfully argued for more than five years that she is too mentally unwell to face extradition proceedings.
Leifer, who has been bailed, is currently still in custody after a judge raised fears she may flee Israel.
Today the Jerusalem Supreme Court reserved its decision on an appeal against a decision to grant Leifer bail to her sister’s home in Bnei Brak, east of Tel Aviv.
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In a hearing, Judge Anat Baron questioned defence claims that there was not enough evidence to keep Leifer in custody.
Nicole Meyer told News Corp she was stunned Leifer had been granted bail and urged Judge Baron to overturn it when she returns with her decision.
“I was really, really upset, it’s difficult emotionally,” she said.
“If she does get bail I fear that we could never see her again.”
Manny Waks, of victims’ rights groups Kol v’Oz, welcomed the delay at the hearing.
“After attending today’s hearing I’m cautiously optimistic that Judge Baron will reverse (the) decision to release Leifer to house arrest,” he said.
“I hope and expect that Leifer will remain in prison until the end of the proceedings against her.
“Most importantly, Leifer will remain in jail for now.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wrote to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that Ms Leifer had to be extradited to Australia.
“This latest decision defies explanation,” Mr Andrews wrote.
“I am hopeful that in writing to you, the Israeli justice system can move quickly to right this wrong. Victims and their families deserve nothing less.”
The Premier has also spoken to Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general Yuval Rotem within the last 24 hours.
It is understood the state government is confident Israeli authorities are taking the matter seriously.
Leifer fled to Israel in 2008 after students raised allegations of sexual assault and rape.
She was arrested but declared unfit to stand trial in 2016 because of ill health.
Leifer was rearrested last year after a sting found that she had been living a normal life in Israel, despite claiming she was too ill to face charges.
Judge Baron said: “This is not about reasonable doubt, this is not what this procedure is about.”
“The suspect already escaped the Australian justice system which arises fears she will flee again if released today.”
Prosecutor Matan Akiva told the court that Leifer needed to be kept in custody.
“In February 2018 there was sufficient evidence to hold her in custody, what has changed now?” he said.
“The reason for her arrest is …. the danger of releasing her back into society.”
Several members of Leifer’s family supported her in court.
Her defence lawyer Tal Gabbai said there was no reason Leifer should remain in prison, claiming a previous hearing dismissed evidence against her.
“She’s been held for 17 months based on the experts opinions and now they’re disqualified she should be released,” he said.
No date was set for a decision on the case.